Mounting for neon tubes and the like



Aug- 17, 1943- s. c. MlLLER 2,326,792

MOUNTING FOR NEON TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 27, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F4.1. E# 7s 33 T :l77dL` l t 4/2- ug. 17, 1943. S Q MILLER 2,326,792

MOUNTING FORl NEON TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Shea?I 2 1414 Il@ .9. f6# f//A /53 M5 f #l ATTORNEY Aug 17 1943 s. c. MILLER 2,326,792

MOUNTING FOR NEON TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 27, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 227` 230 202 2f@ 220- l 2/ 272 Z INVENToR, ,S0/0052 C. /V/Lfe BY Q) ATToNEY Aug 17, 1943- s. c. MILLER 2,326,792 v MOUNTING FOR NEON TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ,SA/7051. C. /W/z, EE;

fm ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 17V, 1943 2te/e192'A UNITED STATES vFatemi gomeo i' 2,326352 u MOUNTING Fon NEON TUBES AND 'run 4 'Y vSamuel C, Miller, New York, Ng e "Application December 27, iessgseriai No. cintre;

This invention relates generally tolumin'ous gaseous discharge tubes, and more particularly it relates to a mounting for such tubes`.` rMore spe-V ciiically it relates 'to such tubes. having cupsectional-and end views oftheV housing of Figures Y thehousin/g; i

'is'a Alongitudinal sectional, view 2, and the former Figurer 7 throughbne of theendrhousings ofthe installashaped electrodes of the type described in my 5 tionf'of Figurel, through'whichelectric,currentis` Paten ts #2,271,657 and #2,271,658`of Feb.` 3, 1942, Y introduced into the tubev and showing an 'electric andto means for receiving electrodes of this type f conductorin'plaoe in the'housingz I and thereby to mount the tube such as on a dis- Figure 8, is a longitudinalA sectional View play'panel or the like and to establish electrical through the housing of Figurefl; connection of the electrode thereof,` suchas to all() Figure 9 is a facelvi'ew of aineon tube'installasource of current or to the electrode of another 'tion using anothertype of housing; Y f Y tube. Y 'F'gure- 10 isa perspective viewv of one of the For the purpose of simplifying the terminology 'forms-of' housing used in the installation of Figthe expression neon tube" has been used ure 9;' -1 `f z f y throughout the specification as equivalent tov 15 Figurell is alongitudinal sectionalview taken Vluminous gaseous discharge tube, and` it is through thehousing of FigurezlO and showing a. therefore to be understood that when I use the neon tube inplace in the housing; j term neon tube I do knet in'tend torest'rictmy- Figure 12 is a plan view of the housing ofFigself to luminous gaseousdischarge tubesgthatgis `v'ure 10;' f i" y f i to tubes in which the gaseous conducting medium A20" f Figure 13 isfa perspective viewfofran end hous-V is neongbut that this term is intendedto include ing of the installation of Figure9; f tubes containing gases other than neon and also Y Figure 14; :is a' longitudinal fsectional view gaseous conductingfmedia-in combination with through the housingof Figure 13 showing an other substances, such as mercury and its vapor.` electric conductor in'place inthe housing; Y Among the objects of my invention is the pro-"f 25 Figure' 15Y is a fragmentary planview ofza neon vision of means for mounting neon tubes that'is tube4 installation 'using still anotherl type 0f effectiva'simpleand economical, and that simplihousing; Y r i. es the operation of mounting and installing neon Figure 16 is a persptiveviewof one form of ltubes; o l Y Yhousing usedin theinstallation of Figure 15;'and

' It yisfurther amongthe objects of my'invention 3 0 'showing a neon tube in-placfe in the housing;V to provide a simple, eiective and inexpensive @Figure 17 .is a vlongitudinal sectional viewf Y vhousing adapted to receive the lelectrodes of neon through thef'housing of,l Figure 16 showing twoy tubes, where these are of the cup-shaped type neontubcs in place therein; e described in my aforementioned copendingl applil'Figure 18-is atransverse sectional'view through cations and effectively to establish electrical con- 35 Va *pairV of housings such asshown'inFigure 16,V nectionA thereof such as toa source of current or mounted on a lcentralsupport positioned in a the electrodes of other neon tubes. V l .trough-like reflectingshield; as in the installation Y Among the objects ofr'nyinventionare further of Figure 15,'"1a'nd showing neonjptubes in 'place the provision in a housing for neontubes of anthereiI1;I f' l 1 improved Contact arrangement for introducing@ Figure 19 lis a'perspeCtive-viewof a housing electric current into the tube,v and the provision adapted iorguse alternatively to that of Figurel Vof an improved arrangement whereby a neon 15j x tube will be securelyheld in the housing. Figure 20 is afragmentary end View on a larger i To attain these objectsand such further o bscale 'of the housing of Figurellg; ly f jects as may appear or be hereinafter pointed out,. .45 Figure 21 isY a `fragmentary longitudinal 4sec- I make referencetothe'accomplyilg drawings, f tional ViewA "0n al larger. Scale Ofthe hOllSing V01" Y formingaparthereoin which: "'Figure19; r f 'g i Figure 1` is a face view of aneon tube installa- Figure`22 'is a fragmentary perspective view on tion in which onetyp'ef of my improved housing a large scale'o thebody ofithe housingl ofFigisuse'd; f i 31.50 ure19; fp Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively perspective Figure 23Visaperspective view of-anotherhousviews of different forms of neon tubefterminal ing adapted for'use alternatively*tothehousing housingsused in the installation of Figure 1'; "of"Fig. 16',1:the body of `th'e'housing onlybeingVV Figures 5 and 6 are respectivelylongitudinal 'shown;' 1 f :n 55 j Figure -24 is sa; fragmentaryr end viewfofrthe showing neon tubes in place in vof an lelectrical'power source.'`

i use with straight ended neon tubes and they support these in relatively'close adjacency to tl'e display panel 'or Vother supporting structure...V It' will be observed that, while these housings are all 15 based on the same general principles Vof construction, that they are of various forms correspond-V ing to their particular functions. Forexample,

.the housing 43 is adapted `for the connection of two neon tubes (33 and 34) in end to end rela- 20 l tion, the `hou`sings45 and 146 'are adapted for connecting the ends of two tubes running in'perraliel laterally"spanedirelatiomvthe housing 4 i-issadapted to :connect twoflaterally spaced tubesrunning opposite directions, the housings i, 42 dhd44 and are of elbow' -form jand areadaptediitogconnect two tubesrunningat-rightanglestq each rother, while the Ahousings, 39 and 48 fareadapted to connect a tube :with thetermi-r ls ,49 fandV 59` The housingszshown-in Figurefl.V -lfalso 'be found vto differ Tfrom 'eachother in' thenuniberand' arrangements nfthe bracketsby which they are secured to a display board or to 'other bese,

and it will be understoodthat thisifeaturepf my' 3 invention'may be ymied 11s-to number and-location of the brackets, *to-'suit 4particular#recadrehnts'. 'i '-1 f Y- .I "fjf Several of the housings shown in Figurej 1- Vwill.

- now be described'in detailf-withthe"aidofiotherfk figures of the drawings.; In Figures 2, TJ' ahd' 'have illustrated thecon- VAstruetion' 'of a vhousing of the, type shown atgds in Figure Al. rlhe bodyr. of. this-housing, as

z shown inthe"drawings;will be .seem to be in the .form'bf ran' 'elongated hollow tubular,member yof electrically insulating material, provided rwith an extensionl. at onee'nd, `and 'an extensiongiS at Yits otherend.' TheV 'extension 52 ls' shown 'gelished orholiowedV as als-54 iso-'as to 'provide aseatgror'- 4 fthe glass'tube portion 55of-:a fneon tube-winch carries'at' its endo; eup-shapedterminal pf the type described in my aforementioned- Patents #2,271,657- and #2,271,658,ga1fld1ft-wll`l 'be 'observed that a shoulder '51 is shown on thetube 55.. The :seat54 is offset laterally from-the inner wall of the body 5| sothat 'it forms fa Ashoulder 58,whic`h 'will coact vwith the shoulder S11-of vthe tube 55, to assist in preventing movement-,of the 'as' the Vtube 55 li's held in'the seat 54. Thefoiset 54 also serves to coaxially center the electrode 56 'in're'speet Aof the insulator 51. A

Meansv for so lholding the .tube 55 in its seat `v are shown in theronn otra wire 59 seating in agroove 'or channelf of the :extension 5-2 vand having its ends twisted together, las show-n at il vided with a eoncavedseat 6-2 lAin which is yadapt- I ed'to 'coaxially .Seat glass tube portl'nf63 carrying the cup-shaped terminal64. 'Ifhe'tube A inner ends.

y 2,326,792 il Y.. neon tube by a resilient Yconducting member G8, 10

shown asin the form of a spiral compression spring having a central turn or convolution 10 of a diameter to Vfit the bore of the body 5I so as to minimize lateral movement of the spring and tapered o ffat both ends so that its end convolutions 'il and 12 are of a diameter adapting them to .seat on and engage the ends of the terminals and "64., which it Will be observed, are of a diameter :less than the diameter of the bore of body 5I. The turn I0Y preferably has a friction ilt relatively to thebore of the housing 5I, but is .sucientlycompressible to permit .its removal Iwhen desired. l

llasijening means 'fforfsecuringthe housing toa display board Aor panel `have been ,sl'rowngi-n the `form ofV alp roffbrackets or lugs Band 14 d isposed laterallyof Qthebody Slandfprovidel with teningmembers such as screws, bolts :or nails.;

In v)Figure S -is ,shown in perspectiveahousing e adapted to receive within the hollow thereofv the Ater-min als of a' pair-'of neonetubes, arranged side f by- .isider Protrudingfrom the Vopen end of the fbody- .portion i', are shown 'a4 pair Aof extensions 8i t1- M1182 provided with dishedaseats .-83 and respectively, eachedapted to-seat alneon -tube and-provided, with shoulders ssi and als at their Seatedon endofuthe body .U are Yshown ay p air of electrically conducting spiral springs glandes each adapted :to kengage the terminal-of a tube seated in the housing, the springs being electrically Aconrcted to other, as by vmad-e integral withzeaoh `other ,-(not shown) Grooves or channels@ and g .81 are provided vin the -eiitensioms'3l and,v for the reception Aof means for holding the neon tubes ini place 'en' the seats `83 .and -84 in the mame?. -described for ,the other Vfoams,A l Means e suclras ,fayl-lugjoriugsgSSY-are .provided -for .se-

crrring the housing to a base-,such as a display I ingsuoh as those shownkfat Ali, diend-44 of Figure l, and which-maybe Vreferred to 'as the elbow type.; hollow elbow-shapedbody :por- Y ytion v{Z3-of Yelectricallyinsulating:material is `pro-v ftub'e $5 lto 1the left, as shown in Figure; as long .my

V42,2,having seatsdjw'i and y4241 thereon tor the seating-ef neon tubesand valsohavinff recesses vided at its open -ends with extensions I ZN` and I'25 andthereonjfor ythe reception omeans forholding the tubespnlgthe Seataand further Vprovided wfithirshoulders l2] andJZS Agf;eneral-ly -conform ,-toythe Hoomplementary shoulders on `the neon tubes to be'finsertel .into housing, and

maintain the electrodes axially spaced `ininsuvlatedrrelatio nship to the housing; l f

The resilient conducting vmeans in this form consists Aoila pair `of -helical springs 128 `and (|39 connected ytogetheiiland -angularly `disposed relativelytov eachother so L that one extends along. :the axis oeah of .theflegs of the v:housface of a boss 13| on the inner wall of theh'ousing provided with angularly disposed faces servthat the springs |29 and- 139 are Vshown as tapering in form, which has advantages vfor `certain purposes. It will however be understood that other forms, such as a cylindrical form, mayalso be `found desirable or even preferable for certain purposes. A y .Y Brackets |32 and |33 are valso shown, for securing the housing to'a. base.

In Figure 7 is illustrated a housing" corre- Vspending to the form shownl at 39 and 48 in VFigure `1, in which connectioniis eiectedlbetweenia" neon tube and an electrical conductor.

In this form the body |50 comprises two aligned` socket portions 153| and '182 separated by a partition M3; The portion 19| is adapted to receive `the end 'of` a neon tube and issimilar in conof an electrical conductor |68 therein` In order to eiTect the connection betweenl thisV conductor and the neon tube I haveshown a connector 1&9k y-mountedon the partition m3. This connector is through an -opening in the'partition, and*isclarnpedinV place on the `partition'. by a' nut |15 in threaded provided withl astem portionl 1|) passimnr engagement with thestem portion |19; The metallic conducting core |12 of the conductor |538 is held in place within `the bore-1 i3 of the con- [nector by' a set screw 1 16. Clamped `underneath the head |15 of -the"'stern1 portion i453 of the connector is a spiralspring |45 vof electrically conducting materiaLshown by way of example fas 'of tapered coniiguration whereby a bfroadbase .A assuring'stability'is provided.

AnV opening in the rside, of the portion' 82 affords access to the set screwll M by means of l a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver. Y f

One of the great advantages aordedin the` installation of tubes in housings of my improved construotionis illustrated in Figure l.; inY which 'y the neon tube 33 is shown'in doteand-d'tsh llines nel in a tilted .or angled positionney which it may assume during the process ofmounting`-th'e tube in the `housing 42.? Such angling is'.v madeapossible by therelat-ively reduced diameter; of the ,neon tube as compared .to the bore of the housing (see Figure and makes unnecessary any great accuracy Yof alignmentbesides facilitating the insertion of the tubeY end into the housing g It will be observed that all ofthe Yhousings so far described are adapted tohold the neon tubes closely Yadjacent to the Vdisplay.boardfor panel on which they are mounted. In the installation shown in Figure 9 the housings'rare-des'igned for the reception `of vneon tubes .having their terminals disposedy at anA angle 'tothe bodyof each tube, and held by thefhousingjn a` raised position above the displaypanel` .f r y In Figure' 9 I have shown an installation-of such tubes, numbered respectively 140 |41, 142,

143, |44, s45, |45, |41 andY 14s and various yforms of housing have ybeen shown,A one vform, shown at |50 and |59 being Vadapted for vthe -reyception of onerneon tube terminal and an electricA conductor end, while, the forms-shown at |53, |55 and |58 areadapted for a pair of tubes extending at right angles `to eachv otherthe ing as seats for the springs. YIt willlbe observed n what may be termed a right-handed arrangement) vthe formsliownat 1| 52l being adapted'for apair of laterally-spaced -tubesextending in opposit'ev directionsthe 'form shown .at1l54l being adapted for a 'pair' of` tubes arranged in endito end relation; and the form Vshown at |56 and |51 being adapted fora pair of tubesextending yin the same direction in spacedparallel relation. InV order to make' clearfthegeneral principles of construction characterizingfall vof .theseforms twoof them will'be describedfin detail,`

On'e of-these forms,v 1 54,' is 'shownr in Figures 10;.-

land 12, and comprises ia hollow body' |60 Y'open at .the top and closedat the bottom.' Extending n' l i y outwardly'from the *upper rirnof the bodyA |60 are Vextensions |61 ands|62, each provided With a seat(|63 and 164' respectively) on `'v'.'l'lichjis adapted to seatthe glass portion |65 of a neon tube, the termina-1166 of which'is' sho-Wn as'an-j Y gularlydisposed torthermain" body 'of the glass tube' |55 and as seated within the bOdyIELA Fastening means |61 :in the form' ofY a loop of wire Vor, thev like yhaving its ends :twisted togeth'erf as at |68 and seated inthe grooveflgfof extension 16| are also' provided inf this form.- It'willfbe understood that a second `tube'fmay'vbe.similarlyv mounted inithe'other side of 'the"housing,1. this tube seatingitselfV in the seat |64 of theextension |62.V` A grooverlliis provided on the'eXtension 162 forth vvreception of :the fastening means i -In order 'toestablish' Contact between thezptvvo j tubes VI 'have shown a double or'wtwin spiral .spring I'IlihavingitscoilsillZ an'dl13 arranged Y inip'arallel` relation and seated. onxthe bottom wall114 of thehousing |69.u Thes'espringsare of" f tapered construction and the broad bases thereby provided 'assure steadiness and .prevent lateral-V displacement by being made of adiameterthatV equals the widthof the -hollow space inthe body |6|J. The dimensions ofthe.springlmay.further be made such'that. the spring H13-is 'held in the l may be compressedsuf- Vbody-1,60 by friction'qbut l ciently to permit removal.-:

Arpair oflu'gs"|"|5and |76 are kcarried bythe I .bodyv 11i!)` and providemeans for `fastening. it to y 1a backing.y I

. It will: be observed that the shoulders 51 and@y v 58 of the formof'Figure' are not neededfor this i form because the angular bend of the'tubefan'd Y the wall'of the.housingfpreventzmovement offthe 'i A second one of the formsfof Figure 9, namely that numbered |50isfsh0wn in detail inFigres .13 andM,V The body |80 thereofacompris'es two Y tuberout; of the housing in anaXial direction."

tubular portions |81 and |82fangularly disposed relatively to eachy other, andl one, "18|, adapted to receive the terminal of a neon tube, while the other, 82, isadaptedto receive theendgo'f a wire orcable183.-

,The portion |8111isprovided;with,anextension |84 having a seat |85` for receiving thereonthe Vside Wall of a neon tube,the,angularly'disposed terminal of which is positionedwithin' the por*V tion |81 and engaged bythe end of a coilgspring |87 seated onfthe bottom Wall 18850.11 theV body i in connection withthelprecedingformsfforfsei 18|. Arecess for channel |89 is: provided inthe.`

extension |84, -for thereception-yof fastening .-means, which maybe .similar .to those described curing'the neontube-tothe housingfv- The- Sprine 181-Whi0h is shown es cfg-tapered housing |51 `differingfrom the' others-0f; this l groupby being whatv maybe termed aleft handed? arrangement, whereasV the `othe'rsfare `rooafar-mation, has an extensmn i90 thereon exintojthe portmi `i825 andadapted Vfor Y nintlon to a omneetorii which is also connedcd to the end .|92 "of the conducting cone |92 of thesvire :trouble483.V vFor convenience in manipulating the set screws |93 oafY the connector MI Whichhold'the end |92 in place, the portion |82 ,may bepmvided with openings |84 through which -a screwdriver or other suitable tool may :it the bane ofv thepcrtion |8i|areshown :a pair of 11:85 Risers/ing for the mountingfof the housingoinanuitazltilebacking.. 1

In Figure `M511 lhave shown What-may be reilerd tous' an indirect 'lighting neon tube ineinbinden, that is, one 4in which the neon tubes :mount visible., butv .their light is .interoepteuY byra shield and is directed' toward the,

v#wailsairl the ceiling which it is diffused and reflected before'it reaches an observer. Suitable housings areshown :for receivingthe terminals f of the neon tubes and effecting their .proper congnection, `and these lare of Fa type resembling tbe shown' in 9 to.V l2 inclusiye'inthat :theyv are adapted for use 'with 'neon tubes having Mr terminals ibent 'angularly in relation to their main portior1,.fbut.they-diiel therefrcn in `being arranged for `mounting on laterally panelsr or" brackets sinisteadaoi on panels or -backings below th'erbases. They :fur-

ther idiier 'from the .forms V:he'rietofo ne described im the manner of fastening the neon tubes "in place inthe housings, as willbe 'fullyjexplained hereinafter.' It may furtherbepbservedthat Athey are adapted for uses-in other installationsl .than that of Figure For example they might be used .with tubes having bent terminals, VWhere it isesired to mount them closely. adjacent toja "-pmel, es in Figure L Y. j j Zihr'eentazry neon 15 comprises tubes 289,' 2li, 120,2, 2012!?4; 112,05, 2,201, 298, 2ML-24B., 2li., 2|2, "2li, Minna iii, nrrmiged iin parallel rows, and the corner ulbeLin-stauanenfcf Fig..

` already woes fm,l zas, no and 211 angles. .The

txxbsV Vaireicornected to )each other and to the. l hixformer 2.15, which serves' to. energize the 223,. 124, '225, 226 221,?21i, .and 123.

VThse housings are. mounted fon :both sides `of "21S which are carried in Ia reflecting trough 'havbotom walls 23S .and-.substantially vertical walls 121 (see Figs. l5 .and tand Whi-clfl is mounted the walls 'olf-.aroom oriother strndzme, ancl'iserve to .shield thetnstallation is,

from the View .of an .observers and to reilect'the light against lthe upperparts of the walls 233 and thefcei'ling, Where theinstallationis mounted Ibelowthe-ceiling. j I "Ihe principles of construction of :the housings or the installation of Figure 15 will-bewunderazstood from .a .description of the housings 22o `and 22| which are illustrated in greater detail in Figures 116, `1i1 :and 18, the rst twofigures show- L `iiig the housing 21m-While Figure l8is ,illustrativet fgzot the'mounting of two housings 22S :andv 22.11011 'asin'gle bracket. Y i l j Referring now to Figuresl and i7, the hous- "lfng 22D will Vbe seen to 'comprise a hollow body I f NB -open at Vthe top and having a number off conceive seats 2M formed inits upper'rirnfeach adapted for' the seating thereon of a glass Yneon `ltube 241,. the 'angularly bent terminal portion 242 of` which Vein-emitsinto uneasy-fasen VThe ferred manner.

1 ure y 18 havev been Sunil-arly minal portions .of a pai-r of neon tubes, and it willA be observed that due to the number and arrangementof theseats 248 the neon tubes `are .adapted to assume various positionalrelations to eachother and 'to the housing. For example, in

Fig. l5, the tubes are shown mountedin end to Vend relation `and in parallel spaced relation. Howevengall the relative positions shown in Fig ure 1 such as rectangular bends, are alsoatta-inable with the single form of housing shown in Figure 16, whereas -in Fig. 1 several Yforms 'are required.' Y v The .body v23! is lfurther shown :as of suliicient capacity to accommodate neon tube electrodes of the type shownin myaforementioned-copending applications Serial Nos; 190,239 and ZlBOF-S. In

the Wall of the-body beneath' each seat. 240 is an opening :243 through which may be passed a ilexible member, such as a wire 244'by means of which a -neon tube maybe held fast Within the seat. For Vthis purpose the wire2'44 is shown looped aboutthe tube 24| in any suitable or pre- AIn Figure ltheY wire 244 isV doubled over the tube, and its freeL ends are then brought through Van openingv23, brought up ori-'opposite sides of forma second loop."V --Lugs 246 are provided at one siderof the body 23-9 by means of which it may be fastened lto a the tube and then twisted together, as at Mito lbracket 233-, as orexample Vby bolts .241 passing through openings 2'48 in the lug-s and through complementary openings in the brackets 233.

' In Figure 18a single bolt 241 is shown pass- `ing through the opposed lugs 246- of a pair of housings, namely 220 and 22|. 'i f A double spiral spring 249, similar tothe :spring of Figures 11 and `12 'serves to eiiect'electrical connection between a pair of neontubes. For'this purpose its basecoils may have 'a friction lit with the bottom ofzthe body" 255,"as

|'||. Y v l The housing Y22| shown in Figure :18 is identical with the "housing 220 also lshow-rr in Vsaid iigure.- For that reason its parts, as shown in Fignumbered, with the numeralsprimedg' x VIt may again; be .observed that the 'seats .211D Vof this type of housing are so arranged as to adapt it for use in connecting tubes inendeto- -end, Aparallel or angular relationship, which of oourseis of great advantage in reducing the :number of iteins that ardealer or manufacturer must stock.

vThe'housing's 223 and 224 of Figure -15 serve respectively to'conne'ct the electric wires 25T) and 2511 "t'othe neon' tubes V'Z'J'l and i233.v 'I'heyare 'similar to the housings220'-just described, but

with modications. Without going into 'the ydetai-lf's'of the modiiication in the construction of theihousingZO, necessary to elfe-'ct such con *'nection, fit1 may be statedthat the 'twin spiral fspringr 249. may .be rn'ade With-Only, one spiral spring', and insteadv :ofthe second spiral spring a connector likeY the connector ISI of Figure 14 mayfbe used for attaching the electric Vwire to the spring;

"The housingshow-n in Figures 19, 2i), 21' and 221nay Ybe used inthe installation of Figure l5 alternatively Awith the housings there shown, such YVas the'housi'ngs 2'2'and 22| just described. It

differs -fijom the latter mainly in having* preformed 'means orsecur-ing theneon tube to the 'body-of n'the housing is Ycarried by the vlatdescribed in connection Wit-h the/spring.

Y formed prior to theV mounting one side; obviously, however, they might also beV provided on the remaining side if desired.

- Positioned within suitably contoured recesses 252 adjacent each end seat 26| are spring clips 253. These are conveniently formed with a loop 264i at their bight portion, for attaching purposes, as

Will be explained, and with an open loop portion 4 265 adapted to receive al neon tube 26E and to grip the same. A pair of clips 263 are'shown associated with each end seat 26| and these are secured to opposite sides of the wall of the'body 260 in any suitable or preferred manner, as by rivets 261 passing through openings 268 in the Walls of the body and headed over the loops 264.

It will be understood that in order to insert a V tube, such as 26B, the same is forced between the end portions 259 and 219 of the clips 263, against the resilient resistance of the latter and is held thereby.

The resulting construction permits ready insertion or removal of the tubes 265 without altering the housing in any way. I- Y Obviously the clips 263 themselves may be made removable, as for example by using bolts instead of the rivets 257, Y

While clips 263 have been shown onlyon the ends of the body 268, it will be understood that they may be and are intended to be used, where required or desired, on the sides as well.. It is further to be noted that the fastening 2M of the preceding embodiment may be used instead of the clips 263 where the latter are not available, the construction of the body 2523 being adapted therefor. 260 for attachment purposes.

A second alternative form for use with the installation of Figure 15 is shown in Figures 23, 24 and 25. y Y' In this form, the hollow body portion 232, similar to the body 256, is provided with dished tube-receiving Seats 28| along its rim. Brackets 282, projecting outwardly from the body 28D, are positionedone below each seat 28|, Vand each bracket has two spaced holes 283 therein.

and may be held thereon by a resilient clip 28E, having two legs 286 and 281, adapted for insertion into the holes 283, and provided in the illustrated form with a looped bight portion.

In order to increase the holding power of the clips and lessen the chances of their accidental disengagement, the ends 289 and 296 of the legs 286 and 281 mayV be bent laterallyoutwardso as to produce a shoulder eiect that will increase A neon tube 284 is adapted to seat on a seat 28| Vv190,230 and serial No. 243,308

locating theneon` tube, avoiding the need for the employment ofthe usual elevationposts for suchlilliiminants, to bind'landjto mount the same toV some frame, so that thehousin'gnot only displaces these. usual 'contrii/"ancfes,V butmore effectively',` gains compactness'fand eliminates light.'

.obscurations land! minimizes interference-with thejreflective= surface .inv ass'oyciationwith which the-neon tubes areiinounted.- 'i

It` will thus be observed that I have provided a housing adapted for use with neon tubes having electrodes such as `describedin my aforementioned copending applicationsA Serial No. and that isfsimple, WhileA these improved suitable for use with effective and economical. housings are` particularly neon tubes having electrodes` of thev aforementioned'type, itis to be understoodthat they'may be .used with neon tubes `having electrodes of other types, and that my invention contemplates such use. f

My invention further contemplates the conjoint use ofthe various features of my inventionin j relations other than the identical relations here- Lugs 21| are provided on the body 2 in disclosed, and that I do not restrictmyself to such disclosed combinations.

While I have herein shown and described several illustrative embodiments of my invention and the manner of their use,it is to be understood that my invention may be embodied in many other forms, as Will be obvious -to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit thereof, and that the disclosure herein is by way vof :illustration merely and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and that I do not limit myself other than as language of the appended claims. y

Having thus .described my invention'and illustratedY its use, what I claim is new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent Vis:Y

tubes each being provided with a shoulder adjacent each terminal thereof, a tubular body porshoulders on said the resistance to withdrawal of the legsirom the holes.

In Figure 25 I have illustrated theadaptability embodiments described Vand illustrated in Fig-- ures 1 to 24, there is provided in an insulating housing for the purposes described, a seat for tion having a bore exceeding in diameter that of the neon tube terminals. to Vbe inserted therein, Y

a seat for a side wall portion of th'eneon tube provided with a laterally offset shoulder at each vend of said body portion arranged axially to alignsaid tube and thebore of said housing, said shoulderbeing adapted to engage said shoulder -onone of said neon tubeswhen the saidtubeis positioned in said seat, means forholding a tube in said seat, and means for electrically connecting said tubes, said means being resilient and adapted to urge the tubes apart and to urge the tubes against the shoulders on,

said body.

2. A neon tube terminal housing comprising a hollow body of 'insulating material having an opening at one side thereof adapted to receive therethroughV the electrode end portion of a neon tube in substantially concentric position spaced.

from thefside walls of said hollow body, said tube having an abutment thereon, a seat on said body spaced and extended away from the portion arranged to receive the electrode end, said seat being adapted to receive thereonv a side wall portion of the said neon tube, means on said body adapted for the attachment Yof, an 'arrangeportion in place ment for holding said tube wall on said seat, and an abutment on saidy housing complementaryy to the` abutmenton said tube and adapted to prevent withdrawal of the tube from the housing in a direction Iaxially of said tube. n

called for by the in substantially coifihdntgic posig'ion, spacegi vfrom the sido walls of said hollow body, a seat ori-said 

